At a Glance
- Tasks: Supervise and support Family Workers to empower families and improve their lives.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Essex County Council, committed to transformational change.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and support for unpaid carers.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional growth in a vibrant community-focused environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with supervisory experience and a passion for family support.
Secondment, Full Time £48,205 to £57,988 per annum
Location: Braintree
Working Style: Community-based worker
Closing Date: 17th August 2026
Interview Date: 27th August 2026 (to be held at County Hall, Chelmsford)
This is a 12-month Fixed Term Contract or Secondment Opportunity. Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.
We are a dynamic, passionate, supportive and vibrant team who provide intensive support to families, and we ensure that family empowerment is at the heart of our interventions. You will be joining a well-established and high performing team at a time when we are growing and evolving as a service.
We would love to hear from interested and suitably experienced applicants who are committed to working with whole families to help them achieve their outcomes and improve their family lives.
The Role of Family Solutions Practice Supervisor
The postholder will work closely with the Team Manager to enable the Family Workers to continue to deliver positive outcomes for children, young people and the families we support as well as maintaining the effective working relationships that we have developed with partners. The role will involve you supervising staff from a range of professional backgrounds, supporting them to work creatively and innovatively. It also requires you to manage new referrals via a duty system making decisions about required actions and allocating work.
What you will need
- Professionally qualified in social work and registered with Social Work England. Ideally you will hold a practice educator qualification or be willing to work towards achieving one and have some supervisory experience.
- At least three years post qualified with evidence of post qualification development.
- Demonstrable skills in staff supervision and experience of developing good practice with staff through approaches such as coaching, joint working/observations, and reflective discussions.
- Experience of dealing with incoming referrals effectively, risk assessing and allocating tasks. Have an ability to problem solve in crisis.
- Experience of cases allocation, and safety planning.
- Ability to work effectively in partnership with a wide range of professionals, building relationships to promote safety of children and resolve differences.
- Commitment to practice improvement and able to utilise the principles of effective practice to improve outcomes for children and young people with a range of complex needs.
- Good presentation skills and be able to use these to represent the team (in the absence of the Team Manager) at locality strategic planning meetings.
- Working knowledge of children’s service legislation and guidance; including understanding of current changes to early help / family help / Families First Partnership Programme.
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.
Family Solutions Practice Supervisor, Braintree, Essex in Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. With flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development, staff are encouraged to grow within their roles, all while contributing to a vital service in the heart of Chelmsford.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Solutions Practice Supervisor, Braintree, Essex in Chelmsford
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Essex County Council, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Family Solutions Practice Supervisor, Braintree, Essex in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Essex County Council. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Essex County Council. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Essex County Council.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Family Solutions Practice Supervisor, Braintree, Essex role at Essex County Council, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Essex County Council that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
